Tamper resistant encapsulated padlock/integral hidden hinge anti-theft device

ABSTRACT

The nature of this invention is a secure, anti-theft, tamper resistant locking device for 5 th  wheel type trailer hitch pins.  
     This locking device conceals the padlock and the hinge inside a solid block of aluminum, which is placed around the 2″ pin of the 5 th  wheel trailer, thus denying access to the hitch pin for towing. This invention distinguishes from existing locking devices, which leave the hinge and padlock exposed for easy breach.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Disclosure document filed on this invention in July 2001, Document #496865.

STATEMENT REGARDIING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] N/A

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The field of endeavor to which this invention pertains is anti-theft, tamper resistant locking devices.

[0005] Upon hearing of the theft of a 5^(th) wheel camping trailer, I, being the owner of a 5^(th) wheel camping trailer, recognized the need for a locking device/anti-theft device for 5^(th) wheel hitch pins.

[0006] After exploring the market for available locking products, I became aware that, to the best of my knowledge, the only products that existed had exposed locks and hinges that could easily be compromised with a hack saw, hammer, or bolt cutters. My idea for an anti-theft device was a recessed pocket containing the padlock and channels for the lock shank integrated into a solid block of steel or aluminum, which would allow the padlock to be inside the block of steel. This invention would prevent access to the lock shank, preventing cutting of the shank. This invention would also limit access to the padlock body, preventing the lock being compromised by blunt force being applied to the body.

[0007] The second part of my idea involved a hinge system for the invention that would make the hinge pin inaccessible.

[0008] I shared my idea with my husband, Delmar Nilges, who then shared it with David Blatt for help in developing and testing the idea in October of 2000.

[0009] After much research, trial and error, and prototypes, the invention described in this application was developed. To the best of my knowledge, I believe this invention to be unique and it contains systems and mechanical process that do not exist in today's market.

[0010] The result of our experimentation and development is a combination between the hinge design and locking design that prevents the device from being compromised even if the hinge is totally destroyed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] This invention is an anti-theft locking device for any 5^(th) wheel type trailer. On the market now are locking devices for 5^(th) wheel trailers that have exposed hinges and exposed padlocks. The devices now available are easily compromised by cutting the padlock shank or the hinge. This invention solves this problem by channeling and pocketing the padlock into a solid block of aluminum and machining the hinge directly into the solid block with the hinge pin concealed in the block. The combination of the padlock channels and pocket along with the hinge design make it virtually impossible to remove the device from the 5^(th) wheel pin.

[0012] The device is closed around the pin of the 5^(th) wheel hitch on the trailer. The padlock is then inserted into the channels in the block halves and raised, then inserted into the padlock pocket. See drawings page 1, FIG. 1 for diagram of locking sequence.

[0013] Test have shown, that with the device installed with the hinge pin removed, the device, still, can not be removed because of the design of the padlock channels and pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0014]FIG. 1 Cut away view from the side of the device. Shows sequence of inserting the padlock into the block haves, then raising the padlock to insert into pocket.

[0015]FIG. 2 Top view of left block half. Dimensions for machining.

[0016]FIG. 3 Top view of right block half. Dimensions for machining.

[0017]FIG. 4 Shaded drawing of invention with two halves assembled and padlock inserted to the locked position.

[0018]FIG. 5 Wire frame drawing of invention with padlock inserted into pocket in locked position. Also shows detail of hinge design. Top view.

[0019]FIG. 6 Bottom view of invention. Wire frame showing lock inserted to locked position.

[0020]FIG. 7 Wire frame drawing showing two block halves opened to a 30-degree angle. Shows padlock channeling and pocket.

[0021]FIG. 8 Wire frame drawing showing invention with padlock inserted into channels in the unlocked position.

[0022]FIG. 9 Wire frame view of invention with block halves opened to a 30 degree angle.

[0023]FIG. 10 Wire frame exploded view of two halves and hinge pin.

[0024]FIG. 11 Wire frame drawing of invention with hinge pin inserted and two halves opened to a 90-degree angle.

[0025]FIG. 12 Wire frame drawing of the invention showing two halves opened to a 90-degree angle showing detail of hinge area.

[0026]FIG. 13 Transparent view of the invention showing two halves closed to the locked position with no padlock installed.

[0027]FIG. 14 Shaded view of the invention in the closed position with no padlock installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] This invention is an anti-theft locking device for any 5^(th) wheel type trailer. It is comprised of two blocks of billet aluminum in which channels and a pocket are machined to allow for a pad lock to be inserted into the two block halves—resulting in a secure bond between the two halves with the padlock being encapsulated inside the aluminum blocks, protecting the lock shank and body from access. The two block halves are hinged on the opposite side of the lock pocket by an integrated tooth design machined directly into the block halves. The two halves are joined at the hinge by a {fraction (3/16)}″ diameter Hardened pin being inserted vertically through the hinge teeth of the two halves. The pin-holes, top and bottom, are then tig welded closed to prevent access to the pin.

[0029] When this channeled padlock design and toothed hinge design are utilized together on opposite ends of these blocks, the result is a very secure locking system. The design of the padlock channels prevents the two halves from being separated even if the hinge were totally removed.

[0030] The contour of the 5^(th) wheel pin is machined into the two halves of the device. The device is placed around the 2″ pin of the 5^(th) wheel hitch and the lock is then inserted into the channeled pocket. The presence of this device on the hitch prevents it from being connected to any vehicle for towing.

[0031] The device is made up of three components:

[0032] 1) Right side block

[0033] 2) Left side block

[0034] 3) Hinge pin

[0035] The device can be machined with ordinary machine shop tooling and machines. Our prototypes were produced using Master Cam software and all machining was done on a Supermax CNC knee mill with a Centurion V control.

[0036] Material:

[0037] 2 each, 1¾″ thick×3″ wide×5½″ long aluminum bar stock, 1 each, {fraction (3/16)}″ diameter×1{fraction (5/16)}″ long hardened drill rod.

[0038] Operations to Produce

[0039] 1^(ST) Operation

[0040] Saw and face ends of two aluminum blocks to 5⅜″ long.

[0041] 2^(ND) Operation-Right block half

[0042] Mill 1¾″ thickness to 1¼″ except for hinge teeth. Machine hinge teeth to print specs. All sides of hinge teeth must have radius of ⅛″ to allow for clearance during swing of halves. Machine ⅜″ padlock shank, “L” shaped, channel in face to print specs. Use ⅜″ ball nose end mill.

[0043] 3^(RD) Operation-Left block half

[0044] Machine hinge teeth, Radius all tooth edges ⅛″. Machine ⅜″ diameter Lock shank, “L” shaped, channel in face to print specs. Use ⅜″ ball nose end mill.

[0045] 4^(TH) Operation

[0046] Clamp parts together in vise—mill 2.030″ diameter pocket thru. Drill and ream {fraction (3/16)}″ diameter Hole thru hinge teeth. Per print.

[0047] 5^(TH) Operation

[0048] Install {fraction (3/16)}″ pin-clamp parts in vise, on end, machine padlock pocket and “U” shaped ⅜″ channel to print specs.

[0049] 6^(TH) OPERATION

[0050] Turn parts over in vise and machine 3¼″×1.600″ step down. Per print specs.

[0051] 7^(TH) Operation

[0052] Remove pin, de-bur all edges, sand and polish blocks. Re-install pin, tig weld ends of pin-holes closed.

Use and Utility of Invention

[0053] This pocket and channeling design for encapsulating the padlock has a wide range of possible uses. The available products now on the market leave the lock shank exposed as well as the lock body. This allows for access to cut the shank with bolt cutters or hack saw and the body of the lock exposed for possible destruction with a hammer.

[0054] The ⅜″ diameter Channel and pocket for the lock body are offset in such a way to allow the lock to be raised ⅜″ in the shank channel then the body of the padlock inserted into the body pocket. See FIG. 1. This design prevents the lock from being removed unless unlocked with a key. This channeling and pocket for the lock also forms a secure bond between the two halves of the device-even if the hinge is totally removed the two halves can-not be pried apart. The two halves would have to be pried open to a gap of 2.0″ to clear the 2.0″ pin of the 5^(th) wheel, which is encapsulated within the blocks. Test have shown that with the padlock installed and the hinge pin removed, the two halve have no more than {fraction (1/16)}″ gap in the hinge area.

[0055] We have also experimented with making the blocks out of tool steel (A2) and heat-treating the blocks to a Rockwell hardness of 58 after machining. This results in an almost indestructible finished product although at considerably higher production cost.

[0056] This channeling and pocketing could be incorporated into virtually any locking application:

[0057] a) 5^(th) wheel trailer, RV, Utility, Farm, Construction, Heavy equip.

[0058] b) Gate locks

[0059] c) Valve locks (gas pipeline, steam, water, etc.)

[0060] d) Storage sheds

[0061] e) Construction sheds

[0062] f) Boat trailers

[0063] g) Etc.

[0064] On the market at this time are products that simply weld a shield around the padlock. The invention discussed in this application actually encapsulates the padlock into solid blocks of aluminum or steel, thus distinguishing from the prior art. The novelty of this invention, rest in the channeling and pocket to enclose the padlock and in the combining of the hinge design with the channeling and pocket for the padlock. In combination, the result is unlike any locking system on the market at this time. 

1. What I claim as my invention is: The method of machining channels and a pocket into two solid blocks in a manner that a padlock, inserted in the pocket and channels, is concealed inside the block halves and forms a secure, tamper-resistant bond between the two block halves, comprising the steps of: a. Machining an “L” shaped channel, to size of padlock shank, in each block half—left block channel is mirror image of right block channel. b. Machining set of straight channels allowing lock shank to be raised to locking position. c. Machining pocket for lock body to be inserted, pocket center is offset up diameter of lock shank from shank channel center resulting in unique locking action. d. Grinding radius ½″ the diameter of lock shank in channels where “L” shaped channels meet straight channels.
 2. What I claim as my invention is: The method of machining toothed hinge with concealed hinge pin into two solid blocks in combination with padlock channels and pocket, comprising the steps of: a. Machining an “L” shaped slot, to padlock shank size, in each block half—left block channel is mirror image of right block channel. b. Machining second set of straight channels allowing lock shank to be raised to locking position. c. Machining pocket for lock body to be inserted, pocket center is offset up diameter of lock shank from shank channel center. d. Grinding radius ½ diameter of lock shank in channels where “L” shaped channels meet straight channels. e. Face right block half down ½″ except hinge teeth area. f. Machining hinge teeth into opposite end of blocks from padlock channels. Left block hinge teeth mate with right half hinge teeth. g. Drilling and reaming hole vertically through mated hinge teeth for hinge pin. h. Inserting a hinge pin in hole and welding both ends of pin-hole shut.
 3. What I claim as my invention is: A anti-theft device for 5^(th) wheel type trailers with concealed padlock and hinge machined directly into solid aluminum blocks, comprising: a. Two solid blocks of aluminum with channels and a pocket machined into one face allowing for a padlock to be inserted and concealed inside the two block halves when halves are closed around a 5^(th) wheel hitch pin. b. A toothed hinge machined into the two block halves opposite of padlock channeling. c. A hinge pin inserted into hinge teeth with ends of pin-hole welded shut to conceal pin. d. Contour of 5^(th) wheel hitch pin machined into two block halves to allow halves to be closed around hitch pin. 